Did you see the video that we posted on our socials just before Christmas?
Carnaby’s Chick Going Strong
Just prior to the end-of-year break we were out checking on a couple of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo hollows that we’ve been monitoring in key Wheatbelt areas. Having found an egg in one of the hollows the team returned three days later to find a new baby Carnaby’s.
Two weeks on, we returned to monitor the hollows and change sensor camera cards and we were excited to find the chick alive and well despite the summer heat.
Neighbouring Hollow Has Unwelcome Visitor
The neighbouring hollow - which also has a Carnaby’s chick - was visited by a snake recently. The outlook for this chick was less encouraging.
We went back to the hollow this week and saw that the parents are still in the vicinity and visiting. However, the chick was sitting at more than two metres down and was out of reach for our GoPros. Given Carnaby’s don’t reside in hollows we worked on the premise that the chick had survived the unwelcome visit. Yesterday we had confirmation of its survival when we saw the chick make an appearance at the hollow entrance.
And then it came out again to receive a meal from one of its parents.
Seen A Carnaby’s? Tell Us About It
You will likely encounter Black-Cockatoos out foraging for food at this time of year in the Wheatbelt. They will forage during the day before returning to hollows to feed their chicks.
If you see black-cockatoos and would like to help us identify where they are around the Wheatbelt, jump onto our Black-Cockatoo survey tool to help us assist these awesome birds. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/8de324697dfb41b680764e28888ea6cf?
These projects are supported by funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.